Legends

Let's cut right to the chase. Three Hall of Famers have retired this off-season. Tom Glavine and Randy Johnson are assured a spot in the Hall of Fame because of one simple number; 300. Glavine's career numbers are great; 305 wins, an ERA of 3.54, two Cy Young Awards on his mantel, and five seasons of 20 or more wins. The man was consistent and a downright winner. Even if he hadn't reached the pinnacle 300 mark, he still would've had a fantastic chance to be elected to the Hall. 300 simply makes it a first-ballot lock.
Mr. Johnson's numbers were even better. The Big Unit won five Cy Young awards, and placed second or third in the voting four more times! Johnson is second place all-time in strikeouts with 4875, trailing only the phenomenal Nolan Ryan, who's record will never be eclipsed. His career ERA is just 3.29, and left-handy Randy also breached the 300 win mark with 303. His ticket to Cooperstown is punched.
The quality and stamina of these two pitchers is legendary, and deserving of Hall of Fame induction. I could go on and on about their accomplishments for hours, if not days. However, I'd like to take some time and discuss a player who may not be a lock for the Hall in some people's minds. A man who played the game of baseball at a Hall of Fame level for many years. Let's discuss this man and see if you agree with me. That man is The Big Hurt, Mr. Frank Thomas.
Big Frank was one of the most feared hitters in the American League in the 1990s. He not only mashed the ball with tape-measure blasts, but he was a high average hitter as well. From his rookie season in 1990 until his shortened 2001 campaign, Frank Thomas hit over .305 every year but one. In '94 he hit .353, in '96 he hit .349, and in '97 he hit .347. And Frank Thomas was not an all-or-nothing hitter like today's Adam Dunn or Ryan Howard. He struck out just 61 times in 1994, but walked 106, earning Frank a career-high .487 on-base percentage, which ranks the 35th best single-season OBP of all time. That puts Thomas in the company of Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams, Ty Cobb, and Babe Ruth, just to name a few.
To compare a contemporary player, Jim Thome (whom I adore) is up for HOF consideration with 564 HRs, 1565 RBIs and career .277 average. Frank Thomas betters Jim Thome in every major hitting category, except homers, by a considerable distance. Oh, and have I mentioned that Thomas has two MVPs under his belt, which is one more than Ken Griffey Jr, a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
But Frank Thomas can't be summed up with stats. He was a presence on the field. As a child, I watched him loom large over other players. At 6'5" and 257 lbs, he was a giant among the first-basemen I idolized like Keith Hernandez and Don Mattingly. He helped shape first-base into the homer smashing position it demands today, but paved the way for guys like Albert Pujols who do it with average. He held then, and still holds today, a special place in my memory.
In short, this off-season has seen the retirement of some icons of baseball. Glavine and Johnson can start preparing speeches now. Frank Thomas may have to unfairly wait due to his considerable time as designated hitter. And while I hate the DH, and we shall reserve the conversation about DH-only players being allowed in the Hall for another time, Frank Thomas had his best years while playing first. But whenever, or however Frank Thomas gets in, he without question deserves to have that bust with his name on it. The Big Hurt should live forever in the Hall, and rightfully so. I mean, come on, The Big Hurt. You know a guy has to be awesome with that nickname. And we all know how much I love nicknames.